Minnesota Attorney Shelley Torvinen finally found us in the big city (Chicago) after a long drive to our virtual studio*. With a promise of hot chocolate and plenty of encouragement, we coaxed her from her car, walked her through our weed-strewn parking lot, and down the stairs past a creaky iron door, to a rusty office chair. We cleared away a pile of spiders and dust, gave her a seat at the table with us, and then applied our usual psychological pressure.

In this Episode 44, recorded on March 12, 2025 by the light of a Coleman gas lantern and between bites of Norwegian lutefisk (in honor of our Minnesota guest,) Shelley did not wilt under our interrogation. It's clear that Shelley, despite laboring in the trenches for over 30 years, has not lost her enthusiasm and compassion for the practice of family law. We spent an hour jabbering about situations, stories, hints and creative ideas -- and family law and procedures in three states (Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin.)

Hopefully, our non-lawyer listeners will find our wide-ranging discussion to be useful and helpful!

Attorney Shelley Torvinen practices in Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin, handling family-law cases in courtrooms and courthouses big and small, far and wide. To schedule a consultation, and maybe be treated to hot chocolate and lutefisk, visit her website at www.wiscotalm.com or call her at (218) 625-2239.

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About the hosts of 'Dynamite Divorce and Other Matters," a project spanning over four years:

Chicago Lawyers Marjie Nielsen, Barry C. Boykin and Kevin R. Johnson have more than 70 combined years of experience in Custody, Divorce and other Family Law matters. They know first-hand the court battles, stress and struggles that people endure as disputes are resolved in the family-court system. They don't always agree

They work tirelessly to bring hope and clarity to a troubled world, where lawyers, judges and other professionals see the best and worst of human behavior on public display.

===================

CARPLS - legal resources www.carpls.org

Illinois Legal Aid Online www.illinoislegalaid.org

==================
Who we are:

Attorney Marjie Nielsen - https://nextsteplegalservices.com/about-us
Attorney Barry C. Boykin - www.gclclaw.org/barry-c-boykin
Attorney Kevin R. Johnson - www.divorce.nu call his cell # 312-493-4241

* (we actually record our episodes remotely using Zoom.)
=============
Intro/outro music for this episode: From #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/hartzmann/to-the-future License code: TLAELJDDAJJYICOF

We met with Attorney Carmen Quinones, from Wilmette (a suburb of Chicago.) She's fun to talk with. Parking her car in our weed-strewn parking lot and making it safely down the stairs to our drafty, underground virtual studio, Carmen brought a wealth of knowledge, kindness and good humor to our round-table discussion. She has uncounted years of experience, both as a psychology professional in Virginia and Illinois, and as an attorney for adults and children here in Chicago.

In this Episode 43, recorded by flickering candlelight on October 23, 2024, with small creatures scurrying around on the floors and walls (it was almost Halloween,) Marjie, Barry and Kevin put Carmen under extreme psychological pressure to spill some secrets and tell some war stories, and she did not disappoint.

While she is appointed by judges to represent children in some cases, she is also hired by parents and spouses to represent them directly in other cases. To schedule a consultation with Attorney Carmen Quinones, and to tap into her warmth and insight, call her at 847-920-0200.

==================

About the hosts of 'Dynamite Divorce and Other Matters," a project spanning nearly four years:

Chicago Lawyers Marjie Nielsen, Barry C. Boykin and Kevin R. Johnson have more than 70 combined years of experience in Custody, Divorce and other Family Law matters. They know first-hand the court battles, stress and struggles that people endure as disputes are resolved in the family-court system.

They work tirelessly to bring hope and clarity to a troubled world, where lawyers, judges and other professionals see the best and worst of human behavior on public display.

===================

CARPLS - legal resources www.carpls.org

Illinois Legal Aid Online www.illinoislegalaid.org

==================
Who we are:

Attorney Marjie Nielsen - https://nextsteplegalservices.com/about-us
Attorney Barry C. Boykin - www.gclclaw.org/barry-c-boykin
Attorney Kevin R. Johnson - www.divorce.nu call his cell # 312-493-4241


=============
Intro/outro music for this episode: From #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/hartzmann/to-the-future License code: TLAELJDDAJJYICOF

In this Episode 42 - recorded on May 8th, 2024, Marjie, Barry and Kevin host retired Judge Mark Lopez, formerly of the Cook County (IL) Circuit Court, Domestic Relations Division. In this wide-ranging discussion, Judge Lopez shares some insights and perspectives from his 22 years on the bench. Some topics are:

• Should you be scared to appear in Court?
• How are judges chosen in Cook County?
• What does a judge look at when deciding cases?
• Can you take off your shirt in Zoom court? (No.)
• Does it help to be loud and boisterous in Court?
• What is a 'pretrial?'
• When can you ask for a change of judge in your case?

Judge Lopez now works as a mediator and arbitrator for JAMS, a private dispute-resolution firm. He's got experience in resolving family-law and other conflicts! Call JAMS and ask for him at 312-655-0555.

==================

About the hosts of 'Dynamite Divorce and Other Matters:"

Chicago Lawyers Marjie Nielsen, Barry C. Boykin and Kevin R. Johnson have more than 70 combined years of experience in Custody, Divorce and other Family Law matters. They know first-hand the court battles, stress and struggles that people endure as disputes are resolved in the family-court system.

They work tirelessly to bring hope and clarity to a troubled world, where lawyers, judges and other professionals see the best and worst of human behavior on public display.

===================

CARPLS - legal resources www.carpls.org

Illinois Legal Aid Online www.illinoislegalaid.org

==================
Who we are:

Attorney Marjie Nielsen - https://nextsteplegalservices.com/about-us
Attorney Barry C. Boykin - www.gclclaw.org/barry-c-boykin
Attorney Kevin R. Johnson - www.divorce.nu cell 312-493-4241


=============
Intro/outro music for this episode: From #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/hartzmann/to-the-future License code: TLAELJDDAJJYICOF